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The Blackwood Inheritance: A Paranormal Cozy Mystery-Romance
358 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 28, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 14, 2026
A fun story of curses!
When Clara receives a letter from an attorney’s office, she has no idea what to expect. After all, she spent her life being shuffled between her divorced parents with neither one really wanting her and has never really settled down since. According to the letter, Clara has inherited a shop with an apartment above it. However, there is a clause, she must keep the cat because it knows more than it should. Sadly, all of Clara’s possessions fit in her car and off she goes. This story is more about Clara and how she grows as a person as she tries to unravel the curse, first by herself and then with help from her friends. The story is well written and all the characters are engaging. I have to admit I did love Malachite the cat. The building was quite a character in the story as well.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
When Clara receives a letter from an attorney’s office, she has no idea what to expect. After all, she spent her life being shuffled between her divorced parents with neither one really wanting her and has never really settled down since. According to the letter, Clara has inherited a shop with an apartment above it. However, there is a clause, she must keep the cat because it knows more than it should. Sadly, all of Clara’s possessions fit in her car and off she goes. This story is more about Clara and how she grows as a person as she tries to unravel the curse, first by herself and then with help from her friends. The story is well written and all the characters are engaging. I have to admit I did love Malachite the cat. The building was quite a character in the story as well.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 13, 2026
I enjoyed this very much. The main protagonist is well written and I empathised with her. The shop - oh yes please! - the magical quirks are delightful.
The challenge is more complex than I originally thought so that was engaging.
Thank you to BookSirens for letting me read the ARC of this book. This review is entirely voluntary.
I almost dropped it to 4.5 stars but decided the fluency and originality made 5 stars acceptable. The use of * wasn’t entirely successful and there were a couple of times story logic needed willing disbelief.
The ending leads the way to the next story in the series.
The last question I have is what happened to the succulent in the end??
The challenge is more complex than I originally thought so that was engaging.
Thank you to BookSirens for letting me read the ARC of this book. This review is entirely voluntary.
I almost dropped it to 4.5 stars but decided the fluency and originality made 5 stars acceptable. The use of * wasn’t entirely successful and there were a couple of times story logic needed willing disbelief.
The ending leads the way to the next story in the series.
The last question I have is what happened to the succulent in the end??
March 21, 2026
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free from Booksirens, and am leaving this review voluntarily and honestly.
I am very pained to write this review. I had such high hopes for the book, it does have promise, however, the execution needs an incredible amount of work.
It will be difficult to explain the reasons of why I am giving this a poor review without spoilers. I will be providing private feedback, as I do have extensive notes in particular parts of the book in which supported my reasons.
I really enjoyed the first part of the book. The story itself had a lot of intrigue, and I was excited to find out more about the protagonist, and the situation she found herself in.
Around 100 pages in was when I started having doubts. It was in relation to the 'peculiar' relationship the protagonist had with the cat. I understand where the author may have been trying to go with this, however, it was executed in a way that made me feel icky.
The protagonist was also a very unreliable narrator. It was difficult to follow different plot points because there was usually not enough plot development or character development to build the story properly.
The protagonist will mention things in passing that seem to be an important piece of context but will not elaborate, painting a very distorted picture. The relationships also seem to go from 10-100. Some of the other characters seem to 'know things' about the protagonist and the house but there is no evidence on how they know these things.
The protagonist also shows mistrust in some of her allies and expresses she feels they lied to her. This made no sense to me. There was not enough reason for these things to be a big lie that should add doubt in their intentions. The same goes for the antagonist. She always knew not to trust this individual and was always clear in her intentions of being cautious around him but then backtracks later in the book and said she trusted him, she really didn't. She knew of his malintent from the get go.
There are also major holes in the timeline. The character will have said that she spoke about all of these important topics in her past but then in later parts, says that she's told them nothing about these things and begins to explain it. It doesn't make much sense. There is also the element of magic that seems to be something that isn't widely known by the general public but then reveals that there are magical laws and practices? It doesn't quite compute.
Finally, in the conclusion, there is a prominent character that is essentially thrown in there at the end as this major influence on the book and also changes the dynamic between two of the main characters and creates some weird unnecessary love triangle that will be seemingly explored in the next book. It seems too weak and unexplored to be such an important part of the plot, and setting up the new plot.
I am very sorry to write this. This is the last thing I want to do. Please know that this isn't coming from a place of criticism. I think this book has potential, but still needs a lot of work to become a great book. I wish the author luck in their endeavours.
I am very pained to write this review. I had such high hopes for the book, it does have promise, however, the execution needs an incredible amount of work.
It will be difficult to explain the reasons of why I am giving this a poor review without spoilers. I will be providing private feedback, as I do have extensive notes in particular parts of the book in which supported my reasons.
I really enjoyed the first part of the book. The story itself had a lot of intrigue, and I was excited to find out more about the protagonist, and the situation she found herself in.
Around 100 pages in was when I started having doubts. It was in relation to the 'peculiar' relationship the protagonist had with the cat. I understand where the author may have been trying to go with this, however, it was executed in a way that made me feel icky.
The protagonist was also a very unreliable narrator. It was difficult to follow different plot points because there was usually not enough plot development or character development to build the story properly.
The protagonist will mention things in passing that seem to be an important piece of context but will not elaborate, painting a very distorted picture. The relationships also seem to go from 10-100. Some of the other characters seem to 'know things' about the protagonist and the house but there is no evidence on how they know these things.
The protagonist also shows mistrust in some of her allies and expresses she feels they lied to her. This made no sense to me. There was not enough reason for these things to be a big lie that should add doubt in their intentions. The same goes for the antagonist. She always knew not to trust this individual and was always clear in her intentions of being cautious around him but then backtracks later in the book and said she trusted him, she really didn't. She knew of his malintent from the get go.
There are also major holes in the timeline. The character will have said that she spoke about all of these important topics in her past but then in later parts, says that she's told them nothing about these things and begins to explain it. It doesn't make much sense. There is also the element of magic that seems to be something that isn't widely known by the general public but then reveals that there are magical laws and practices? It doesn't quite compute.
Finally, in the conclusion, there is a prominent character that is essentially thrown in there at the end as this major influence on the book and also changes the dynamic between two of the main characters and creates some weird unnecessary love triangle that will be seemingly explored in the next book. It seems too weak and unexplored to be such an important part of the plot, and setting up the new plot.
I am very sorry to write this. This is the last thing I want to do. Please know that this isn't coming from a place of criticism. I think this book has potential, but still needs a lot of work to become a great book. I wish the author luck in their endeavours.
March 11, 2026
My thoughts on…
THE STORY:
Clara learns that she has inherited a building, and while the terms seem simple and straightforward, there is one term that raises eyebrows (for Clara as well as for readers)...the cat stays.
And this is how readers begin their journey with Clara into this paranormal cozy mystery/romance.
Readers will experience the oddness of her inheritance - there were three doors and now there’s only two? - as well as wonder, “What does that cat know?” as Clara experiences those moments.
The mystery Clara must solve is not a murder mystery - it’s a curse. And that curse has been going strong for 130 years. Can Clara find what she needs to break the curse, and will she know what to do with those items if she finds them?
I found the mystery engaging, the characters delightful, and the whole time I was rooting for Clara to find herself and a place to finally call home.
THE CHARACTERS:
Clara is our main character, and a character she definitely is. We don’t learn a lot about her - we learn with her and through her (if that makes sense). She is there as the caretaker of this building that seems to have a personality of its own, and I liked that the writer leaves her mysterious for us as readers as far as being able to picture her. It reminds me of the idea of Everyman, and the idea that Clara could be any of her readers. It allows readers to have a chance to see themselves as Clara instead of giving readers a conclusively defined character.
Malachite may be my favorite character. There is not a lot I can say about this character without spoiling any of the story, but I will say that I think many readers will enjoy him on the page.
This story also contains several important side characters that come on the page at just the moments Clara seems to need them, and I just loved what the writer did with them, too.
OVERALL IMPRESSION:
As a whole, I enjoyed the story, the setting, and the characters. This book is a good start for those who enjoy paranormal storytelling but are new to cozy mysteries.
This book was provided by Story Sirens for an honest review.
THE STORY:
Clara learns that she has inherited a building, and while the terms seem simple and straightforward, there is one term that raises eyebrows (for Clara as well as for readers)...the cat stays.
And this is how readers begin their journey with Clara into this paranormal cozy mystery/romance.
Readers will experience the oddness of her inheritance - there were three doors and now there’s only two? - as well as wonder, “What does that cat know?” as Clara experiences those moments.
The mystery Clara must solve is not a murder mystery - it’s a curse. And that curse has been going strong for 130 years. Can Clara find what she needs to break the curse, and will she know what to do with those items if she finds them?
I found the mystery engaging, the characters delightful, and the whole time I was rooting for Clara to find herself and a place to finally call home.
THE CHARACTERS:
Clara is our main character, and a character she definitely is. We don’t learn a lot about her - we learn with her and through her (if that makes sense). She is there as the caretaker of this building that seems to have a personality of its own, and I liked that the writer leaves her mysterious for us as readers as far as being able to picture her. It reminds me of the idea of Everyman, and the idea that Clara could be any of her readers. It allows readers to have a chance to see themselves as Clara instead of giving readers a conclusively defined character.
Malachite may be my favorite character. There is not a lot I can say about this character without spoiling any of the story, but I will say that I think many readers will enjoy him on the page.
This story also contains several important side characters that come on the page at just the moments Clara seems to need them, and I just loved what the writer did with them, too.
OVERALL IMPRESSION:
As a whole, I enjoyed the story, the setting, and the characters. This book is a good start for those who enjoy paranormal storytelling but are new to cozy mysteries.
This book was provided by Story Sirens for an honest review.
February 18, 2026
Disclaimers: I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily to share my honest opinion.
Trust the cat he knows more than he lets on. For Clara her life has been a series of choices on how to avoid putting down roots and involving herself in others lives. It’s just easier and safer for her to do so. But when she finds out that she has inherited a building that comes with a cat and odd instructions she has to decide. Does she steer the course and avoid everything or does she give it a chance and see what this is all about. The building is alive and the cat knows things. It sounds insane yet here she is.
Does she have what it takes to keep this building intact and thriving and what does the cat know?
I’m a fan of paranormal books although I can’t say that I have read many paranormal mysteries. I was hooked immediately. This is really well written as it keeps you wanting to read and not stop. There are aspects of the storyline that I wasn’t super excited about particularly a relationship that develops but overall it it is a fascinating story. Can’t wait to see what’s next
Trust the cat he knows more than he lets on. For Clara her life has been a series of choices on how to avoid putting down roots and involving herself in others lives. It’s just easier and safer for her to do so. But when she finds out that she has inherited a building that comes with a cat and odd instructions she has to decide. Does she steer the course and avoid everything or does she give it a chance and see what this is all about. The building is alive and the cat knows things. It sounds insane yet here she is.
Does she have what it takes to keep this building intact and thriving and what does the cat know?
I’m a fan of paranormal books although I can’t say that I have read many paranormal mysteries. I was hooked immediately. This is really well written as it keeps you wanting to read and not stop. There are aspects of the storyline that I wasn’t super excited about particularly a relationship that develops but overall it it is a fascinating story. Can’t wait to see what’s next
February 11, 2026
I am a big fan of cozy paranormals (cozies in general, really!) and The Blackwood Inheritance is a fun and wholesome ride through magical realism and whimsy with just a wee touch of romance. It's a bit Harry Potter, The Spellshop and The House of Wind from ACOTAR rolled into one. I loved the descriptions of the town, its inhabitants and especially the shop, though I found the author's physical description of the main character Clara a bit lacking. I really had a hard time picturing her. I also found her to be a little wishy-washy and the trust issues were so repetitive. They could have been toned down a bit, I think, because I think readers are intuitive enough to get it with it constantly being hammered in. I love Margot, though. She's the kind of no-nonsense friend I'd want in real life, even better because of scones! I do hope there is another installment soon as I'd like to see where this goes. And as an FYI, I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Hope it helps! Happy reading!
March 4, 2026
This book started off strong, I thought I would read it a lot quicker than I did, some because I wanted to saviour the story, learn more about the magic building and the way it worked and not wanting to get to the end incase it didn't work out.
Each character was easy to identify and imagine though the description of Clara felt lacking and a little more difficult than the others.
The book was well written though at times repetitive as though treating the reader like the importance of the task needed to be completed and clarified in several ways, it could be frustrating.
If I'm honest it should have ended after the first book, it was probably slightly longer than needed and now the writer is bringing in an additional element, I'm not sure is needed. I'd still read the next part but think I actually preferred the cat in all this and once that was removed the humans seem less able to connect to.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Each character was easy to identify and imagine though the description of Clara felt lacking and a little more difficult than the others.
The book was well written though at times repetitive as though treating the reader like the importance of the task needed to be completed and clarified in several ways, it could be frustrating.
If I'm honest it should have ended after the first book, it was probably slightly longer than needed and now the writer is bringing in an additional element, I'm not sure is needed. I'd still read the next part but think I actually preferred the cat in all this and once that was removed the humans seem less able to connect to.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2026
Clara Whitmore receives an unexpected inheritance from a great aunt she barely remembered and receives a quaint Victorian shop in a small town. The only caveat is that “The cat stays. He knows more than he lets on. Listen to him.” Strange but a small price to pay for a chance to leave her small apartment and start a new life.
Malachite is a quirky cat and certainly seems to know more than a cat should. Clara encounters many new “people” – a ghost accountant, a new friend, and customers who are certainly not human. Clara must break a curse and decide if she can be open to love. This was a sweet, cozy paranormal mystery romance. I enjoyed it quite a bit. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a light cozy read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Malachite is a quirky cat and certainly seems to know more than a cat should. Clara encounters many new “people” – a ghost accountant, a new friend, and customers who are certainly not human. Clara must break a curse and decide if she can be open to love. This was a sweet, cozy paranormal mystery romance. I enjoyed it quite a bit. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a light cozy read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 22, 2026
This one pulled me in right from the start. As Clara was figuring out how everything worked with the shop, the curse, and Malachite, there was always something new happening that kept me wanting to know what was going on next. Every time I thought I had a handle on things, the story gave me another piece of the puzzle.
I really felt like I was going through everything right along with Clara. You could feel all the confusion, the frustration, and the moments where things finally started to make sense. I loved watching her grow more confident as the story went on, even when things weren't easy.
This was such a fun journey with the perfect mix of mystery, magic, and emotion. I had a great time with this one and didn't want to leave the world when it was over.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I really felt like I was going through everything right along with Clara. You could feel all the confusion, the frustration, and the moments where things finally started to make sense. I loved watching her grow more confident as the story went on, even when things weren't easy.
This was such a fun journey with the perfect mix of mystery, magic, and emotion. I had a great time with this one and didn't want to leave the world when it was over.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 24, 2026
A charming, but predictable paranormal cozy mystery. I finished in a day. The stagnating under-employed MC (usually female) inherits a charming, spooky house/business with a familiar and supportive but quirky neighbors and has to face someone who feels entitled to the inheritance. Her battle to learn trust is repetitive, but interesting part of her journey in the book.
My biggest quibble is that the only character of color literally just exists to provide support and encouragement to the main character. For Margot to declare that Clara is her best friend on such short acquaintance negates that she has any sort of outside life.
There's a sequel planned and I hope the author will be a little less safe in it.
Thank you to BookSirens and the author for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
My biggest quibble is that the only character of color literally just exists to provide support and encouragement to the main character. For Margot to declare that Clara is her best friend on such short acquaintance negates that she has any sort of outside life.
There's a sequel planned and I hope the author will be a little less safe in it.
Thank you to BookSirens and the author for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 26, 2026
I was curious to read a book in which a debut author was assisted by AI (as detailed in the book description on Booksiren's ARC website). I wanted to see whether I could "see" a difference. And yes, IMHO, there was a difference. It was typo-free 🤩 and gave me the impression it had seen the eyes of an editor. This was an advance review copy that I received for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I enjoyed the book immensely. It felt well researched and edited. Unfortunately, however, the beginning was terribly slow, and I nearly stopped reading. The story really takes off on the final page at the end of Chapter 5. So readers, I would like to encourage you to persevere. The story is worth your while reading.
I enjoyed the book immensely. It felt well researched and edited. Unfortunately, however, the beginning was terribly slow, and I nearly stopped reading. The story really takes off on the final page at the end of Chapter 5. So readers, I would like to encourage you to persevere. The story is worth your while reading.
March 13, 2026
I overall really enjoyed this book. I'm a sucker for a good cozy mystery and this hit the mark and went a little bit further. The only two complaints I had were 1) there were a couple of places that had sentences fully duplicated- and it seemed off putting- like an incomplete edit of sorts. 2) Clara's relationship with Mal kind of weirded me out a little bit. I feel like this is something that needed more developing- perhaps in a sequel.
Overall- very enjoyable- leans heavy on spells and magic, a little darker than some cozy paranormal stories, but overall a good, easy read and interesting plot. I look forward to the sequel.
I received this as an advance review copy at no cost. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Overall- very enjoyable- leans heavy on spells and magic, a little darker than some cozy paranormal stories, but overall a good, easy read and interesting plot. I look forward to the sequel.
I received this as an advance review copy at no cost. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 23, 2026
The Blackwood Inheritance is a Superb story about Clara Whitmore who worked at a Museum but then inherited her Great-aunt's Magical Shop and Cat called Malachite. But is not at all as it seems. Clara is helped in her search for answers about the shop's history and the curse by Margot who owns Coffee Shop, Theo who owns the Bookshop and Detective Serena Cole. But can they find all the answers and find the truth?
Excellent story that I enjoyed reading very much and I highly recommend that you read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Excellent story that I enjoyed reading very much and I highly recommend that you read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 15, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This story was full of interesting twists and turns, sweet romance, and lessons on learning how to trust yourself. I found the main character to be relatable though we share many of the same issues and so maybe I don't find her as likable as others might. I appreciated the storytelling and the magic and wonder the author conveys. I would have liked a bit more depth to the motivation for her persistence, and I also realize that sometimes, even when overwhelmed, you know you have to continue on!
This story was full of interesting twists and turns, sweet romance, and lessons on learning how to trust yourself. I found the main character to be relatable though we share many of the same issues and so maybe I don't find her as likable as others might. I appreciated the storytelling and the magic and wonder the author conveys. I would have liked a bit more depth to the motivation for her persistence, and I also realize that sometimes, even when overwhelmed, you know you have to continue on!
March 19, 2026
I am an ARC reader and this is my honest opinion. I have a love/dislike relationship with paranormal fiction but this book intrigued me. A shop of impossible architectural dimensions, that has sentient feelings and makes them known - Harry Potteresque, and a cat who seems to know more than a cat should.
There's a mystery that's been waiting over a hundred years to be solved. The building and the car have been waiting for just the right person. It's an easy book to read and I read it in a day. I will probably look for the sequel
There's a mystery that's been waiting over a hundred years to be solved. The building and the car have been waiting for just the right person. It's an easy book to read and I read it in a day. I will probably look for the sequel
February 8, 2026
I loved this book! It was well written, the story flowed well and it really sucked me in. The connection between the characters, the mystery of the building and the 130 year old curse was intriguing. Clara is relatable as a main character and I thought it was neat that the building itself is essentially a character in a way. Overall I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 15, 2026
I liked it. I like reading new series as there is so much potential where the story could go... In this particular one, I loved the building itself, how it responded to its inhabitants and visitors, that it had kind of a life itself. I adored Margot's character, the way she inserted herself in Clara's life without taking no for an answer. And, the mystery of Ezra's curse was very intriguing.
I received this book as part of an ARC team and this is my honest review.
February 15, 2026
I really enjoyed this book! It was a well thought out story that moves slowly but ends with a bang! It was magical, romantic and has a cat in it. I loved the mystery! I’m looking forward to the next book!
February 15, 2026
Loved it! Can't wait for the next one! I love found family and mysteries combined with a touch (or much more) of the paranormal and this one did not disappoint!
*I received an ARC copy of this in return for an honest review.
*I received an ARC copy of this in return for an honest review.
March 23, 2026
A solid cosy mystery/love story. Although I did find the book a little repetitive at times, I still enjoyed the concept of the story of inheriting a magical shop, leaving an old life behind to begin again and trying to solve the mystery.
My star rating would be 3.5 / 5
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
My star rating would be 3.5 / 5
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews